quartz

[ kwawrts ]

noun

1. one of the commonest minerals, silicon dioxide, SiO 2 , having many varieties that differ in color, luster, etc., and occurring either in masses (as agate, bloodstone, chalcedony, jasper, etc.) or in crystals (as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, etc.): the chief constituent of sand and sandstone, and an important constituent of many other rocks. It is piezoelectric and used to control the frequencies of radio transmitters.

quartz

/ kwɔːts /

noun

1. a colourless mineral often tinted by impurities, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass, abrasives, and cement, and also as a gemstone; the violet-purple variety is amethyst, the brown variety is cairngorm, the yellow variety is citrine, and the pink variety is rose quartz. Composition: silicon dioxide. Formula: SiO 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal
2. See quartz glass
   short for quartz glass

quartz

/ kwôrts /

1. A hard, transparent trigonal mineral that, after feldspar, is the most common mineral on the surface of the Earth. It occurs as a component of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks as well as in a variety of other forms such as rock crystal, flint, and agate. Some crystalline forms, such as amethyst, are considered gemstones. Chemical formula: SiO 2 .

Other Words From

• quartz·ose [kwawrt, -sohs], quartz·ous [kwawrt, -s, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartz¹

First recorded in 1750–60, quartz is from the German word Quarz

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartz¹

C18: from German Quarz, of Slavic origin

Example Sentences

By using a new technique, researchers were able to isolate and test tiny samples—like the piece seen here mounted inside a quartz cube—for magnetic evidence.

From Singularity Hub 

The material is produced through an energy-intensive process of reacting silica, or quartz, with carbon in electric furnaces at facilities like Hoshine’s in Piqan, also known as Shanshan county.

From Washington Post

Gaia responded by inventing the atom, then the elements, and then from them she invented rock and quartz and flint.

From Nautilus

They heat up almost instantaneously using quartz or other metals and a reflector to direct heat, though some will implement a fan.

From Popular-Science

Infrared heaters are very similar, using infrared quartz bulbs to generate radiating heat.

From Popular-Science

They measured the amount of different isotopes of xenon trapped in quartz crystals.

From The Daily Beast

In 2008, NASA discovered crystals with a similar make-up to quartz surrounding young stars.

From The Daily Beast

Composite fillings are typically made of glass or quartz mixed with resins and adhesives.

From The Daily Beast

Quartz orange juice and rice with chicken and French fries for lunch and same for dinner.

From The Daily Beast

The plan, however, remains in use to this day in many mines, and is frequently spoken of under the name of quartz-crusher.

From Project Gutenberg

A crushing machine, now called "quartz-crusher," also formed part of this additional order.

From Project Gutenberg

Quartz consists of pure silica, and when in large masses is one of the most indestructible rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

With the exception of quartz and augite, these names are, however, representatives of different classes of minerals.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, sand consists of finely broken crystals of silica or quartz.

From Project Gutenberg